[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/houzIW1.png[/img][/center]

Ashley had just finished patching up Wukong when she heard Breacher call her, the draconic esper clearly astonished that she had survived her trip through the portal. However before she could begin to tell her ally about her horrific ordeal, Binky’s voice sounded from the entrance. A moment later, the green-haired esper made her appearance, noting that they needed to get moving as time was of the essence. Still, that need for urgency didn’t stop Valkyrie from giving a small motivational speech, or Leroux from stepping forward to offer herself as fuel for additional blood magic assistance from Lada.

Ashley honestly had no idea what to make of the armored young woman. At first, she had thought her an intelligent and experienced agent, but then that opinion had changed to one of annoyance at her thoughtless flippancy and almost suicidal tendency to rush into danger without any thought for her own safety. But now, seeing her express a genuine desire to guard against future blood magic attacks, and willingly offering herself as a means to ensure that they would have such protection, the Knight of Tomorrow couldn’t help but feel somewhat jealous of her ally’s courage and tenacity. After all, this was a woman who’s [i]entrails[/i] had been spilled out on the floor only a short time ago. What Leroux suggested may have been crazy, but it was also somewhat commendable, at least as far as Ashley was concerned. 

After an alarmed exclamation from Breacher, Binky quickly nixed Leroux’s idea, explaining that not only would such a plan simply not be viable for espers like themselves, but also that Lada had been promised she wouldn’t be placed in any potential danger. With that out of the way, the team proceeded further into the sinister mansion…

.

..

…

After making their way through a labyrinthian maze of corridors, the assault team found themselves in a large chamber. Ashley took a quick note of the hall’s ostentatious decor, including the repulsive sculpture which dominated its center. Although she was familiar with the concept of “heroic nudes” from her art history classes, the high-tech heroine couldn’t help but feel disgusted by this particular piece. Indeed, she had half a mind to shatter it apart with a well-placed energy blast. However, as much as she wished to destroy this crime against fine art, her attention was soon drawn to the small group on the far side it. The small group lead by a large monster… This was obviously the Maverick contingent, Ashley realized, which meant that towering figure had to be Billy Black. The Knight of Tomorrow’s grip on her instrument tightened as she watched Binky and Billy approach each other and have a short conversation, one which, surprisingly enough, [i]didn’t[/i] end in a battle, as they both seemed to agree that removing Justin was the most important thing. Still, that left their forces alone in the chamber, and it was only a matter of time before conflict began…

As it transpired, Breacher was the first to act, taking up position behind the statue and firing a few suppressive rounds at the Maverick espers. One of the latter, dressed in a colorful harlequin getup, responded by diving for cover, before popping up briefly to shoot a volley of [i]playing cards[/i] of all things at the draconic esper. Meanwhile, Valkyrie moved to place herself opposite the Maverick harlequin. A moment later, her massive railgun sounded forth three times in rapid succession, promising to make a mockery of any cover the enemy esper chose to hide behind. Ashley, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as eager to engage fellow humans, even ones tricked or brainwashed into following a monster. Thankfully, as her team’s only healer, she had other tasks to perform besides direct combat. The real question was, who should she assist first? Neither Leroux nor Wukong’s injuries had been fully healed, and while Silhouette’s condition was unknown, he seemed more than little beaten up. Still, from what little she knew of these three, it was Leroux who had proven to be the most reckless, and thus, the one in most need of her assistance. 

Placing a glowing hand on her armored ally’s back, Ashley filled the impetuous young woman’s body with another pulse of restorative power, hopefully mending any lingering internal injuries she might have sustained from her earlier disemboweling. That accomplished, the Knight of Tomorrow took up position behind the armoire next to Valkyrie, from which she used hand signs to inquire if Silhouette required healing as well.

[hr]
[center]18 | Female | GEMINI | Vision of Tomorrow
Implements of Tomorrow | Wand, Shield | Arcane | Tune of Tomorrow
Raiment of Tomorrow | Stride of Tomorrow 
Light of Tomorrow | Light | Power of Tomorrow 
[Reveal (2), Purity (4)], Damage (2), Damage X (6), Shield (4), Reflect (4), Heal (6), Major Heal (18), AoE (2), Powerful (0), Piercing (2)

DAMAGE: C | SPEED: E | SENTINEL: D | 750

[Bronze Touch][Heal] = -48 mana

PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: D | CHAOS: C | 286[/center]